May 21 – June is busting out all over! No different than with Sullivan County with all the amazing events happening!

Sullivan Business Exchange: Brochure Swap is on tap for Thursday, May 28 from 4 PM – 6 PM at Liberty Mall, Sullivan Avenue, Liberty. The Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Sullivan Catskills presents an exciting evening to kick off tourism season with energy, connection, and community pride. This dynamic networking and promotional event brings together local businesses, organizations, and community leaders in a lively exhibition and tailgate-style setting. Participants are encouraged to bring brochures, marketing materials, and business information to take part in the Brochure Swap. Contact the Chamber at 845-791-4200 for additional information. 

Don’t miss the Ribbon Cutting for “The Wandering Peach” on Thursday, May 28 during the Brochure Swap event. Join the festivities for this fabulous event at 5pm. This mobile bar takes Southern Hospitality and brings it right to Sullivan County. Rolling in with good vibes, cute cups, dirty sodas, sweet peach and enough peachy personality to make a Southern grandma say, “Well, isn’t that precious.”

The Chamber also holds its First Friday June Networking Breakfast on Friday, June 5 from 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM at Forestburgh Playhouse. Contact the Chamber to reserve your seat today.

With the USA turning 250 years old, patriotic emblems such as flags have become high in demand and short in supply. Due to this, the Sullivan Central Rotary Club needs to postpone its ceremony originally scheduled for Memorial Day to June 14 Flag Day at 2pm at the Sullivan County Government Center at 11am. All flags will be placed as soon as they arrive, but the dedication and ceremony will be shifted to the new date. The good news is that gives additional time for purchase. Honor Veterans, parents, police, community members, doctors – whomever is your hero in this tribute to what makes our community great. A commemorative medallion will be available to hang on the flagpole or to take with you to hang in your home. The recognition flags can be “purchased” for a donation of $50 each with proceeds to benefit the community work done by the Sullivan Central Rotary Club. For more information or to get a form to make the purchase, call 845-798-1770, email sullivancentralrotaryclub@gmail.com or contact a member of the club.

The Landfield Avenue Synagogue hard copy printed calendar is back. From mitzvot to Yizkor listing, or to purchase an ad, please call the Synagogue Office at 845-794-8740.

Congratulations to all the new and returning school board members and budget passages last week. I want to take a moment to recognize that running for any office is never easy. But in our system, we need folks willing to step up and participate. Everyone who allows their name to be placed on a ballot is a winner for being willing to participate. Thank you to those who put themselves forward. 

For a great family event, mark your calendars for the Sullivan County Youth Book Festival on Saturday, May 30 at the Ethel B. Crawford Library on Broadway in Monticello. Now in its fourth year, the festival is a premier event for young readers to meet authors, get signed copies of top-rated books from authors, both locally and from throughout the country, and spend time with fellow lovers of reading listening to authors read their books in person. Explore the library and discover this gem right in our own backyard. And, certainly, don’t miss Clifford, The Dog who will be on hand to say hello to the youngster and for pictures. 

The Inaugural Steve Schwartz Scholarship Application sponsored by Sullivan Central Rotary is available to all graduating Seniors across Sullivan County and the deadline is closing in quickly. Students applying must have post high school plans in Music, The Arts, and/or Business. Please note, students continuing studies in all aspects of these areas, not necessarily college programs, are encouraged to apply. The deadline for application is June 1. Applications are available by contacting sullivancentralrotaryclub@gmail.com or calling 845-798-1770. 

Don’t miss the Kauneonga Lake Farm & Makers Market on Saturday, May 30 at the Duggan School in White Lake from 10 AM until 2 PM. From fresh local produce and meats, pickets, baked goods and more, this Market Place will leave you smiling with plenty of great items to bring home. 

Happy Birthday to Barbara Putzer, Michelle Knowlton, Jeanne MacDonald, Jayson Weinstein (5/26), Dan Hust, Dan Rigney, Gina Sullivan (5/27), Julie Brennan, Nancy Barkley, Eric Rubinstein (5/28), Michelle Semerano, Janet Montes, Brenda Avery, Erin Booth, Dillon Cerullo (5/29), Hildy Rosenberg, Joann Kaiser Froehilke, Ashley Herbert (5/30), April McBride, Peter Blakey (5/31).

I know some have waited so, I think you will be safe to do your planting now! Happy Gardening Season. For those of you like me struggling with allergies – feel better soon! And, as always, just in case I really don’t “Know It All,” please keep me in the know by emailing me at LoriJames.SCDemocrat@gmail.com.